Washington drivers had until midnight on 31 March to remove studded tyres before the state’s annual deadline passed and enforcement began. As of 1 April, the Washington State Patrol became authorised to issue $137 fines to any driver caught running studded tyres, including out-of-state visitors. There were no individual waivers and no extensions offered for this season.
Tyre shops across the state reported a surge in last-minute appointments in the days leading up to the deadline, with many drivers scrambling to get the swap done before enforcement kicked in.
The push to remove studded tyres was not just about avoiding a fine. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, studded tyres cause between $20 million and $29 million in damage to state-owned roads every winter, on top of additional wear to city and county infrastructure. WSDOT encouraged drivers to switch to non-studded winter-tread tyres, which provide reliable traction year-round without the pavement damage that studs cause.
Drivers planning trips to higher elevations or mountain passes were advised that winter traction requirements may still be in effect in those areas, with officials recommending approved traction tyres or chains as alternatives.
The rule remained straightforward: studded tyres were legal between 1 November and 31 March. After that deadline, there were no exceptions.
